niency in the refusing of the
ceremonies, namely, the offending of the king. But for answer unto this,
look what the largest extent of the prince's power and privilege in
matters belonging unto God's worship, which either God's word or the
judgment of sound divines doth allow to him, none shall be found more
willingly obsequious to his commandments than we. But as touching these
ceremonies in question, we are upon evident grounds persuaded in our
consciences, that they are both unlawful, and inexpedient for our church,
and though they were lawful in themselves, yet we may answer as the
oppugners of the Interim replied to those who urged yielding to the
ceremonies of the same,(280) surplice, holidays, tapers, &c., because of
the emperor's commandment. That the question is not about things
indifferent, but about a main article of faith, namely, Christian liberty,
which admitteth not any yoke to be imposed upon the conscience, no not in
things indifferent. Our gracious prince who now, by the blessing of God,
happily reigns over us, will not (we assure ourselves) be offended at us,
for having regard to our consciences, God's own deputies placed in our
souls, so far, that for all the world we dare not hazard their peace and
quiet, by doing anything with their repugnance and aversation. Wherefore,
we are more than confident that his Majesty will graciously accept from us
such a reasonable apology, as they of Strasburg used to Charles V.(281)
_Quantum omnino fieri potest, parati sumus tibi giatificari, non solum
civilibus verum etiam in rebus sacris. Veruntamen oramus invicem, ut
cogites, quoniam sui facti rationem oportet unumquemque Deo reddere,
merito nos de salute nostra solicitos esse, et providere nequid contra
conscientiam a nobis fiat._ And as the Estates of Germany to
Ferdinand,(282) when they besought him only not to grieve nor burden their
consciences. _Te quidem summum, et a Deo nobis datum magistrum agnoscimus,
et libentissime quidem, ac nihil est omnium rerum, quod non possis aut
debeas a nobis expectare, sed in hac unare propitium te nobis esse
flagitamus._ If these hoped that popish princes would accept such answers
from them, shall not we? O, shall we not be persuaded that the Defender of
the Faith will not refuse to take them from us! especially seeing his
Majesty shall ever find, that he hath none more loyal and true subjects,
who will more gladly employ and bestow their lives, lands, houses, holds,
goods, gea